The Robey and Robey Hall

Location:Chicago, IllinoisClient: Convexity Properties

Project description: Antunovich Associates collaborated with Convexity Properties and Grupo Habita to revitalize two historic buildings located at the bustling intersection of Milwaukee Avenue, North Avenue and Damen Avenue in Chicago's dynamic Wicker Park/Bucktown neighborhood. The project transforms two historic buildings, the North West Tower and the Hollander Fireproof Warehouse. Both are contributors to local and federal historic districts. These structures anchor a combined multi-building complex that includes The Robey, a 69-room boutique hotel, and Robey Hall, a 20-room hotel, a ground-level diner, three retail spaces, and two rooftop bars that provide expansive views of the Chicago Skyline. Each building has a distinct aesthetic which creatively interprets the original functions and design of the interior spaces. The Robey adds a contemporary touch to a material palette that alludes to the late 1920s when the structure was constructed as an office building. Robey Hall, on the other hand, keeps the unfinished look of a warehouse throughout its lobby and hotel rooms. The space is complemented by the use of industrial materials.

The project's interior design was overseen by Mexico City-based hotel operator Grupo Habita, designed by two European firms, NS Architects + Marc Merckx (Brussels) and Delordinaire (Paris) and implemented by Antunovich Associates' Interior Design Department. Antunovich Associates led the historic preservation efforts, developed full permit and construction documents for the project, and provided construction administration. The drawings carefully interpreted the sophisticated design intent, making it compliant with building and life-safety codes and consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, the standard utilized by City, State, and Federal historic review agencies.

The Robey received the 2017 City of Chicago Landmarks Preservation Excellence Award.